PracticeSuite is a web based (cloud computing based), flexible and robust application, therefore, it works on:

Operating systems: (Windows including Tablet, Mac, iPad, Linux etc.)

Internet Browser : Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, Firefox or any other browser that support 128/ 256 security encryption. The system also requires a PDF viewer to view and print reports. In addition, a spreadsheet tool such as FREE open source OpenOffice or Microsoft Excel would be useful to dump reports into spreadsheets for slicing and dicing.

High Speed Internet Connection. Please see question # 3 for detailed specification

Cloud Computing based application means that the software is based on a multiple location architecture, securely hosted and adequate safeguards are in place for the availability and security of your the application and data. 

An ASP is a hosted service where you host your application on behalf of you. It still require you to buy license, annual maintenance contract and pay for updates. 

PracticeSuite.com is provided as an on-demand cloud computing based solution (Software as a Service). It doesn't require any server or any other additional hardware. The system is accessed similar to any other website. The website is HIPAA Compliant and is secured with 256 bit encryption with a username, password and account number. Additional security is in place to prevent off time access, and remote access 

PracticeSuite.com would ideally require a high speed internet connection such as DSL, Cable modem, T1 etc. However, it can also work on a dial-up network but you will experience minor wait time as dial up speeds are generally limited to 56KBPS. For specific details on the internet connection, please see the requirements below.

Internet Speed Requirement:

Number of users accessing the system from one location	Actual Internet Connection Speed
	Download	Upload
1-6 concurrent users	512 Kb/s	128 Kb/s
7-10 concurrent users	768 Kb/s	256 Kb/s
11-20 concurrent users	1024 Kb/s	384 Kb/s
More than 21-concurrent users	T1 or higher
More than 30 concurrent users	T1 or higher

Additional consideration: To ensure system availability in the event of an internet connection issue, we recommend you install a router that can handle two incoming internet connection and obtain internet connection from two different service providers coming through two different phone lines.

Yes, we do convert data from existing system to PracticeSuite. We have three levels of conversion - patient demographics, open transaction and full financial conversion. Our goal is to keep the transition to our system very smooth and less invasive & taxing.

Yes. Our software is designed with open interface architecture that allows us to exchange data with many third party applications. This enables us to have two way communication bridges with many systems.

Yes. You can purchase it in modules and add additional modules as per you convenience.

We make every attempt to work any issues that might surface to ensure customers are happy with our system. If this unfortunate event were to ever happen, we would gladly do the transition ensuring full support from PracticeSuite.com. The data is returned back to the office in an industry standard format so the office can reuse the data with their new system.

PracticeSuite.com is a CUSTODIAN of customer data very similar a bank, that is a CUSTODIAN of our money. We do not own the data, we are merely possessing on behalf of our clients, and therefore, required data is given back in an industry standard readable format with documentation on how to interpret the data.

PracticeSuite currently works across 32 specialty and sub-specialties. Please click here for the complete list of available specialty.  

PracticeSuite is a customer focused company and believes in offering the highest quality of support to our clients. Support is performed through phone, email and online real time chat. We encourage clients to use online real time chat, as it is faster and you don't really have to be holding the phone line, in addition, you can multi-task as you chat with the support analyst.

PracticeSuite is hosted out of professionally managed class data centers that are spread across multiple locations throughout the country. The site is monitored by security personal, surveillance cameras, and servers are locked in cages. Access to the data center is restricted to authorized personnel only. Logical access to the server is secured by Operating System Security, Firewall, Database Security and other industry standard security measures. All communication between the server and the client computer is encrypted with industry standard 256 bit SSL encryption. Access to the data is restricted to client service personal only. PracticeSuite follows industry standard best practices, policies and procedures, and internal controls on information security. Complete Information Security Policies and Procedure document is available upon request to our prospects and clients.

The data is stored in professionally managed Tier 1 Data Centers across the country in multiple locations. Due to security reasons, we cannot disclose the hosting location. PracticeSuite's data center partners include some of the largest ISPs and data center hosting companies.

PracticeSuite is based state-of-the-art open source technology platform. PracticeSuite runs on a Linux Operating System, with Tomcat-Apache and industry's leading database - Oracle. The front end is developed using JSP (Java Server Pages).

This is a valid concern. The best analogy we can offer you is of a Bank. Like Banks, we are a CUSTODIAN of your data. We have responsibilities and requirements that are more stringent than you would have with your own data. As bank is responsible to take care of your money, so are we responsible to protect your data as a PROFESSIONAL AND RESPONSIBLE CUSTODIAN.

Second, with increasing compliance requirements from HIPPA and others, practice has the responsibility of protecting the privacy of patient health information. Particularly in the area of information security, HIPPA regulation put technology related security burden on a medical practice that is not equipped to handle this responsibility. This is all the more reasons that you should leave the data security in the hands of technology experts.

Yes. We would be happy to send the data to your office on a weekly basis either as CD or as encrypted email. Additional charges may apply. We have not automated this process since there aren't very many requests coming in for it.

Yes. We do provide in-house install. You do have the option to install this software in-house.

Yes, to the first. To the second, there is no inherently required link between an ICD-9 code and an item placed on the problem list. Because physicians use 'problem' lists differently, we have included a separate diagnosis listing, which may be populated automatically from diagnoses clicked off by a clinician in a chart note. Many systems do not offer both problem and diagnosis lists.

Yes.

PracticeSuite is complete ONE comprehensive suite of EHR, PMS, Scheduling, Medical Billing and Portal solution.

Interfaces are available with many PMS companies, EHR companies, clearing houses, labs and others.

Please also see question # 5.

Oracle. Oracle is the industry’s most popular database used by many Fortune 500 companies. See question # 13.

See question # 13.

Yes. The system has built in To-do list and clinical reminders.

Yes.

Servers are located in various data center across the country.

The hardware resources & codes are shared between customers. Our current lines of servers are custom built and come from variety of hardware vendors. Each customer's data is stored in a separate and secured dedicated Oracle database schema.

Linux

We build our servers to our own rigorous specifications to ensure high availability and fail-over and redundancy. The servers include RAID, multiple processers, multiple SMPS and hot swap drives.

HTTPS and Ping monitoring

Data are backed up to offsite storage device & location. We use Oracle Archive log real-time data backup and daily backup of schemas.

Apache - Tomcat

SSH, SFTP and HTTPS (SSL)

SSH and SSL

Our data center routers and servers have Cisco firewalls, physical and logical security to prevent & detect intrusions and other security vulnerabilities.

99.99%

Generally speaking, we find that our bandwidth at our data centers is more than adequate. The challenge is usually experienced at the client's site. Our data center bandwidth is shared by all traffic on servers.

Anywhere between 1 to 3 calendar days (not man-days) depending upon modules, data conversion & training required.

Clinical and technical members of our partners & PracticeSuite.

Designated hours for training, implementation, customization, access to in-house servers for data conversion. Availability of doctors and office staff to answer questions in a timely manner.

Average training time for EHR is about 5 hours. EHR customization can be performed on the fly by providers. We would provide the necessary training. The building of the encounter sheets, canned sheets, items and values is really a personal choice of the provider and how perfect the provider would like his encounter narratives to look like. You would have most of the frequently used elements during the implementation. The customization and personalization of the EHR evolves as the provider records more and more patient encounters.

Once we setup up the system and perform data conversion, we will release the system for final sign off. We try few end to end test cases to ensure that everything is flowing as anticipated. This is part of the 1 to 3 day turnaround as mentioned above.

PracticeSuite EHR is very intuitive therefore easy to learn and adopt. EHR training generally last for 5 hours. Remainder of the training is self-serviced through our online product documentation and online training videos. Most of our training is performed remotely however we do have optional onsite training.

The turnaround time depends upon the issue and nature of the resolution required. We have team of over 20 dedicated software engineers and customer response team professional that works on customer requests. If the issue does not require a code fix, the resolution will be provided during the support call itself. If a code fix is required, again depending upon what it takes to fix, how severe the bug is, would determine its resolution time. ALL PRIORITY ONE HIGH CUSTOMER IMPACT ISSUES ARE ESCALATED AND THE TEAM WORK ON IT RIGHT AWAY.

We offer support through email, chat, phone and our knowledge management resources. We have enough resource to meet your support needs. We take pride in our customer response time and support. Second, one of the good things about PracticeSuite is that we provide online help for our product. Third, the need of support has been found to be minimal because our product is simple, easy and intuitive. Medical billers, Doctors, healthcare professionals and office managers were involved to ensure that the product closely matches users' requirements.

Customer Service is available from 8 AM EST to 8 PM EST.

Yes. We have online user guide and technical documentation. These are provided as context sensitive help. Most of these are available online within the product.

We develop our solution with close partnership with our clients. We listen to our customers very carefully and therefore our product is one of the fastest evolving platforms. Historically, we have provided at least one release per month with new features and improvements. Major upgrades are provided as needed for compliance such as ONC-ATCB, 5010 and ICD 10. We are responsible for all compliance related requirements.

At least once a month.

Quest and Lab Corp and other regional and local labs. We would need your help to work with your Account Rep to enable integration for your practice. We provide interface and access to your preferred transcription vendors.

Yes

It was certified by an Information Security Consultant, who had prior experience performing HIPAA and information security compliance

We are an ambitious emerging company. As a young company we have already accomplished feat of working across over 30 specialties, integration with many software companies and have ventured into Long Term Care. We look forward to expand our horizon and be part of the many healthcare automation opportunities that lies ahead.

PracticeSuite was certified as Ambulatory "Complete EHR" ONC-ATCB 2011 Certification on 12/30/2010. PracticeSuite was tested and certified against all Stage 1 Meaningful Use criteria and optional Stage 1 "Accounting of Disclosure" criteria. In addition, PracticeSuite already meets over 25 Stage 2 criteria and has many features and capabilities in the software that enable our clients to attain operational efficiency, which over and beyond the certification requirements.

Yes. PracticeSuite has fully automated PQRS reporting and XML submission capabilities

Yes. PracticeSuite has fully automated CDSS modules that alerts provider based on the patient care.

Yes. PracticeSuite has a meaningful use dashboard per provider that measure compliance.